Laurus
is Latin for 'bay tree'; nobilis means 'renowned.'
In early Greece and Rome, bay was associated with glory, honor,
and reward. Bay is also commonly called laurel. Those victorious
in battle and sports were crowned with a laurel wreath. Bay
also had a legendary role in the love affair of Appollo and
Daphne and was associated with romance.
Description:
This large, attractive tree is thickly covered with glossy,
narrow dark-green leaves about 2 to 4 inches long and 1 inch
wide. The thick, leathery leaves have wavy, somewhat variable
margins. The greenish yellow flowers are without petals and
not very ornamental. Pruning out the lower limbs and rounding
the top creates an elegant appearance. The bark is shiny grey,
and the fruit is a dark purple to black one-seeded berry about
1/2 inch long.
Plant
type and hardiness:
Evergreen tree; hardiness zone 8.
Plant
type and Height and width:
Height averages up to 10 feet (wild plants may reach 23 feet);
width varies.
Light
and soil:
Full sun to light shade; moderately rich, well drained soil
with a pH of 6.2.
Pests
and disease:
Susceptible to white wax scale, which makes the leaves sooty
and unattractive and retards leaf growth.
Cultivation:
Bay trees make excellent tub specimens, especially if grown
with the lower branches pruned off and the top rounded. Seeds
are difficult to propagate, but cuttings can be successful
when taken in the spring after the leaves have hardened. Keep
cuttings watered at all times and plant in containers when
rooted. Bay trees are slow growing, but after one year in
pots they can be transplanted into the garden or a larger
container.
Propagation
method:
Difficult to propagate from seeds or cuttings. Bloom time
and color March to May; greenish yellow.
Harvesting:
Bay leaves can be harvested and dried throughout the year.
Early in the day, cut or pick individual older leaves as needed.
To keep leaves from curling when drying, place them on boards
with books on top. The leaves should be dry in about two weeks.
Store in tightly sealed containers.
Herbal
uses:
Cosmetic, culinary, decorative, and medicinal. The fragrant
oil is added to bath water to sooth the skin. Culinary use
is mainly in soups, stews, and tomato sauces. Bay leaf also
flavors shellfish boils, pickling brines, game meats, and
herbal teas. Remember to remove bay leaf before serving. The
tree itself is decorative when pruned into formal shapes.
The branches can be used in fresh or dry herbal wreaths and
to add fragrance to potpourris. Bay leaf is said to have some
medicinal qualities.
Insider's
secret
Growing bay near other plants is not a problem unless the
tree gets too large and the roots take nourishment from nearby
soil. Bay can be trained as a topiary tree.
